**Claudia Sheinbaum Signs Decree Returning PEMEX and CFE to State Enterprises, Allows Private Investment**
On October 30, 2024, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo took a significant step by signing a decree concerning articles 25, 27, and 28 of the Mexican Constitution. This decree re-establishes Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) and the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) as State Enterprises. Despite their return to state control, a space for private investment remains, to be managed under stringent regulations.
During a morning press conference held at the National Palace, President Sheinbaum also signed another reform. This reclassification positions railway freight and passenger transport as key strategic areas for national development. These decrees followed their approval by both the Congress of the Union and most state legislatures, reflective of constitutional reforms.
Addressing the energy sector reform, Sheinbaum noted that the legislative branch had submitted the now-constitutional reform to the executive branch for publication in the government’s official journal. “This reform returns to the people what has always belonged to them,” she stated, referencing the 2013 privatization of PEMEX and CFE which turned them into private entities.
She acknowledged that there would be avenues for private investment to operate within these sectors, but assured that such participation would adhere to clear guidelines and order. She highlighted that PEMEX and CFE would continue providing affordable services and resources.
Energy Secretary Luz Elena González Escobar emphasized the pride in transforming PEMEX and CFE back into public state enterprises. She noted the importance of prioritizing these companies to maintain national continuity, security, and accessibility to strategic resources.
In her capacity as President, Sheinbaum also enacted constitutional reforms in the railway sector. Director-General of the Railway Transport Regulatory Agency, Andrés Lajous Loaeza, remarked on the significance of restoring the state’s ability to operate passenger trains, with priority development pathways for projects like the Mexico-Pachuca and Mexico-Querétaro trains.
Recently, Sheinbaum announced upcoming rules for private sector participation in the electricity market focusing on renewable energies, aiming for a balanced share up to 46% of the market, according to structured discussions with the industry’s major councils.
**Secondary Article: Impact of Sheinbaum’s Reforms on Mexico’s Energy Landscape**
The recent constitutional reforms signed by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo mark a groundbreaking shift in Mexico’s energy and public transport landscape. With PEMEX and CFE regaining their status as state enterprises, the focus is set on enhancing public oversight and management of the nation’s energy production and distribution.
These reforms could potentially reinvigorate Mexico’s energy sector with increased efficiency and affordability, aligning with global sustainability goals. However, the allowance for controlled private investment may stimulate further innovation and growth, attracting foreign expertise and capital.
Analysts suggest that these measures might curb previous inefficiencies in state-run enterprises while maintaining competitive electricity costs. This hybrid energy policy could serve as a template for balancing public and private interests in vital national services.
In tandem with the energy reforms, prioritizing railway development is seen as a strategic move, likely to boost connectivity and contribute to regional economic growth. By incorporating rail networks as priority projects, the state aims to reduce urban congestion and carbon emissions, aligning with broader environmental objectives.
Overall, the reforms illustrate a commitment to reclaim national resource management while fostering private sector collaboration under robust and structured regulations. This balanced approach is expected to drive Mexico’s energy and infrastructure sectors forward in an era of economic and technological transformation.